St. PatÂ?s Parade, steps off Saturday

March 11, 2009|Tribune Staff Report

SOUTH BEND Â? Michiana will get a head-start on its St. PatrickÂ?s Day celebration with the 12th annual St. PatrickÂ?s Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, immediately followed by the greening of the East Race.

Sponsored by the Michiana Celtic Society, the parade will start from the intersection of East Jefferson Boulevard and Frances Street, travel a half-mile west toward the river, and turn north on Niles Avenue to end at Seitz Park.

Any club, business, or family is invited to participate for free. Contact Joe Walsh at (574) 272-1905 or irishsouthbend@aol.com for more details.

If you want to walk with the Howard Park/East Bank Neighborhood Association, arrive at 10 a.m. at the north entrance to Parkview Atrium office building, 300 S. St. Louis Blvd. Karen Murphy said the group will pass out green beaded necklaces to spectators. For more information, call Murphy at (574) 288-6300.

Immediately following the parade, the public can gather along the East Race to witness its green transformation, sponsored by FiddlerÂ?s Hearth.

Other events include:

Gaelic Mass: Saturday at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 309 S. Taylor St., South Bend, hosted by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and St. Patrick Church.? After-Parade CeiliÃºradh (Celebration): Saturday at St. PatrickÂ?s Parish Center, 308 S. Scott St. Enjoy free Irish music and Celtic dancers during this family friendly celebration. Corned beef and cabbage will be available for sale from noon to 4 p.m., sponsored by St. Patrick and St. Hedwig Parish. Call (574) 232-5839 for details.??The Michiana Celtic Society formed in 2008 with the merger of the Michiana Scottish Association and the South Bend Shamrock Club. Anyone with an interest in promoting Celtic heritage is invited to become a member of the society, which sponsors the annual St. PatrickÂ?s Day parade each March and the Michiana Celtic Festival and Highland Games each August. For more details, visit www.michianascottish.org.